How to Get a Driving License in Lebanon
A step-by-step guide to enrolling, preparing your documents, and passing the theory and practical exams.
Overview
Getting a driver's license in Lebanon means enrolling in a certified driving school and passing both a theory and a practical exam at the Traffic Management Authority (Nafaa) center in Dekwaneh. From start to finish, budget roughly $400–$450, which covers the mandatory driving lessons, paperwork, and official exam fees.
Cost & Mandatory Training
Lebanon requires a mandatory training course of 7 lessons — typically 5 practical and 2 theoretical — through a certified driving school. The official state fee for issuing the license is around LBP 2,300,000; driving-school packages and processing usually make up the bulk of the total cost.
Required Documents
Before you can take the exams, prepare the following paperwork:
- Judicial (criminal) record — obtained via OMT or the General Directorate of Local Administrations.
- Proof of residence — a residential certificate from your local Moukhtar.
- Medical certificate — a fitness certificate with a passport photo, stamped by a doctor.
- Blood type card — official blood-type identification from an authorized laboratory.
- Identification — a copy of your Lebanese ID or a Civil Status (Individual Record) Extract no older than 3 months.
- Passport photos — two recent passport-size photos certified by the Moukhtar.
- Driving certificate — an affidavit from your driving school confirming you completed the mandatory lessons.
The Application & Exam Process
- 1
Enroll in a driving school
Register at an authorized driving academy and complete your mandatory training hours.
- 2
Book your appointment
New applications and renewals are handled by the Nafaa center via its online platform or designated offices.
- 3
Pass the exams
Sit the theory exam (rules and road signs) and the practical, behind-the-wheel test.
- 4
Collect your license
Submit your completed file to the Nafaa (Traffic Management Authority) to have your license issued.
Foreigners & Non-Lebanese Drivers
If you hold a valid license from your home country, it may be eligible for conversion into a Lebanese license. Conversion still requires proper documentation — a valid residency permit, your passport, and a translated home-country license — and should be confirmed with the authorities or a driving school.
Tourists may drive with a valid home-country license accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Driving abroad on your Lebanese license? Read our International Driving Permit (IDP) guide.Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a driving license cost in Lebanon?
Budget approximately $400–$450 in total, covering the mandatory lessons, paperwork, and official exam fees. The official state issuing fee is around LBP 2,300,000.
How many driving lessons are required?
A mandatory course of 7 lessons — usually 5 practical and 2 theoretical — through a certified driving school.
Where do I take the driving exam in Lebanon?
At the Traffic Management Authority (Nafaa) center in Dekwaneh, which handles the theory and practical exams as well as license issuance.
Can I convert my foreign license to a Lebanese one?
Often yes — with a valid residency permit, passport, and a translated home-country license. Confirm eligibility with the authorities or a driving school.
How can I prepare for the theory exam?
Practice for free on Sou2LB in Arabic, English, or French with exam-style questions and instant scoring before sitting the official test.
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